How to Get Married Remotely in New York State
#LoveIntheTimeofCorona
My friends went down to City Hall in New York City to seal the deal on their newly printed marriage license on Friday, March 20th. . . the day the Marriage Bureau shuttered its doors indefinitely. This devastating news wreaked havoc on more than their romance. One was about to lose their health insurance. An impromptu marriage would ensure continued coverage on their partner’s plan, coverage which could mean the difference between health and catastrophe.
My friends went down to City Hall . . . the day the Marriage Bureau shuttered its doors indefinitely.
However, there’s good news for folks in New York State who find themselves under the same pressure as my friends.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently passed two executive orders . The first authorizes Town and City Clerks to administer marriage licenses using ‘audio-video technology.’ The second clarifies that all state recognized officiants are permitted to perform remote ceremonies utilizing said ‘audio-video technology.’
How Do You Take Advantage Of This New Development?
All you have to do is find an officiant to conduct your ceremony using ‘audio-video technology’
If your license was granted in the state of New York, all you have to do is find an officiant to conduct your ceremony using ‘audio-video technology,’ as long as the following conditions are met (as specified in Executive Order №202.20):
the couple seeking the marriage services must present valid photo ID to verify identity whenever required by law the during the video conference, not merely transmit it prior to or after
the video conference must allow for direct interaction between the couple and the town or city clerk, the witness, or the person to solemnize the marriage (e.g. no pre-recorded videos of the person signing or engaged in the marriage ceremony)
the couple must affirmatively represent that he or she is physically situated in the jurisdiction where the marriage is legally allowed to occur, within the State of New York
the couple must transmit by fax or electronic means a legible copy of the signed document directly to the town or city clerk, the witnesses, the person to solemnize the marriage on the same date it was signed
the town or city clerk, witness or person who solemnizes the marriage may sign the transmitted copy of the document and transmit the same back to the person responsible for the document by law
to the extent practicable, all parties will use their best efforts to ensure the document is transmitted in the most confidential manner and information will not be released to any third party not associated with the marriage license and marriage ceremony
and the electronic signed copy of the marriage license application or marriage license will become the official document for purposes of Domestic Relations Law. Local town and city clerks may provide guidance related to how marriage licensure applications and issuance will be implemented in their jurisdictions
(from Executive Order №202.20 : Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency)
Gov. Cuomo’s follow-up Executive Order 202.21 provides further clarification regarding officiants:
the directive regarding solemnization of a marriage ceremony contained in Executive Order 202.20 shall be modified to expressly include any officiant, public or private, as able to perform or solemnize such marriage ceremony utilizing audio-video technology, as delineated in such directive
(from Executive Order №202.21: Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency)
The orders will expire on the 18th and 19th of May 2020, respectively.
Originally published at https://www.weddingsfromawindow.com on March 21, 2020.
